Broccoli Health Benefits

Broccoli Health Benefits

Broccoli Health Benefits

When I was a kid, my mother used to tell me at dinner to “eat your broccoli or no dessert for you.” She also used to tell me “no staying out past dark,” as well. Basically, my childhood was ripe with not much of a nightlife and eating a lot of broccoli.

These days, I have a bit more of a nightlife than I did as a kid. And even though I’ve been told that broccoli health benefits are the real deal, I think my childhood traumas involving my mom holding baked goods as hostages somewhat added to my disdain for eating the cruciferous vegetable.

The truth is, no one really loves eating broccoli. The stems are tough. The taste is like farm soil. Some people don’t digest it as well when eating it in a raw, whole form. And the taste can leave a lot to be desired for us non-neanderthals (that should be all of us reading this article, clearly).

Broccoli, however, is one of the world’s most potent superfoods. So for me, working it into my diet is a priority.

So what health benefits can someone expect when they eat broccoli consistently?

Glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, and glucobrassicin are a trio of phytonutrients found in broccoli which give broccoli a special detoxification power (think broccoli in a phone booth changing into a cape!). Broccoli both neutralizes and eliminates toxins and contaminates in the body. Basically, your body is a black box and there is a rabbit inside the black box which is basically toxins and broccoli is a super amazing magician. Sorry, but I think magicians are pretty bad ass. You might not.

Moving on, broccoli just might help with our current vitamin D epidemic. Stop the presses, folks, because vitamin D deficiency is literally a global epidemic. The deficiency carries with it the risks of obesity, hypertension, depression, and a wealth of neurodegenerative diseases.

Broccoli, as it turns out, might be the solve for the issue. Broccoli is loaded with vitamin K and vitamin A, both which help balance our vitamin D metabolism. Broccoli may be the solution for a great many people’s ailments, ailments which people didn’t even know they had because hardly anyone gets tested for vitamin D deficiency. So yeah, get out and get some sun, but give broccoli a whirl as well just for safe keepings!

Broccoli possesses a flavonoid called kaempferol. Kaempferol, when it isn’t busy sounding like a german engine part, is actually great at lessening the effects of allergy substances in our bodies. Yep, this is a big part of its anti-inflammation effect.

Broccoli being one of the world’s most potent antiinflammatories means that it can help reduce your chances of cancer. Cancer is our country’s number one killer, so eating broccoli just makes sense.

Vitamin C is found in high volume in broccoli. That means eating broccoli can improve your immune system just as well as eating oranges can, sans all the sugar / fructose. Other antioxidants include carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene.

But wait a minute, who the heck wants to eat broccoli?

Answer: nobody. That’s why the best thing anyone can do is to simply use supplementation. Broccoli powders are found plentifully in a variety of green drink powders. You can then add in any natural flavors you like and create your own consistency in terms of taste.

Broccoli shakes can be made easily with green drink powders. Fruits such as strawberries and bananas can both act as sweeteners as well as help give a rich consistency that easily conceals the green superfood powder. You can also opt to add some peanut butter or almond butter for good measure. Vanilla greek yogurt can be good for those people who don’t mind some dairy.

Adding broccoli into your diet can really be a game changer for your health. Broccoli also has a lot of fiber, which will help you feel fuller as well as act as a health benefit for your colon. I guess mom was always right, but, she just had a bad approach. More moms need to know about superfood green powders for their kids!